TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An average of 3.3 people die every day in Taiwan due to a lack of organ transplants, Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said Tuesday.

Chiu made the remarks at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital during a “Share Love, Connect Lives” organ donation event. He said more than 10,000 people in Taiwan are still waiting for transplants, according to the Taiwan Organ Registry Center, per CNA.

He praised the hospital’s achievements in transplant medicine and urged the public to sign up for organ donation online.

Lung transplant recipient Huang En-chin (黃恩芹) shared her story of developing pulmonary fibrosis in 2023 and requiring oxygen within a month. After her transplant and rehabilitation, she regained the ability to stand, walk, and cycle.

Huang said her determination to live came from her donor’s generosity. She expressed gratitude to this “angel,” whom she had never met, for giving her a second chance at life.

Chiu said Taiwan’s promotion of organ donation in palliative care has helped many patients over the past decades. He thanked the national organ donation team and hospitals for their dedication.

In response to media questions about hospitals suspected of violating donation procedures by removing organs before a patient’s heartbeat had stopped, Chiu said a review is underway. He added that a preliminary consensus has been reached but certain prerequisites must be met before retrievals can proceed.

Chen Chien-tzung (陳建宗), superintendent of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said organ donation is a difficult but vital procedure. He noted Huang’s full recovery after her transplant and praised Chiu for raising National Health Insurance premiums to their highest level, which he said has improved the medical environment and strengthened support for emergency care staff.